Armenia, considered to be one of the oldest civilizations in the world, is a small, landlocked, mountainous, country located between the Black and Caspian seas in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia. It is bordered on the north by Georgia, on the west and southwest by Turkey, on the south by Iran, and on the east by Azerbaijan. The Armenian language is Indo-European and has 38 letters
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Thank you so much for this informative and wonderful article!
I agree! I’m so very thankful for this education on Armenian pagan past. My father is Armenian and mother is Russian, and I’ve been looking to learn about the Armenian PAGAN heritage. I love this article.
Is there a link for Luys, Ararich Lusoh? would love to read or hear the lyrics.
this was an outstanding article! We have such a rich and wonderful history, thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Fantastic article!
Endless thanks for your Article,
showing what we had before so-called Christianity ..-
We lost our ego and came slaves to this new religion …
We should have stayed in our previous one…
Then we were stronger, fighting the evils…
and did not depend on the new God
which he never cared for our honest race …
We lost millions after millions …Genocided with no mercy…
Till this day …2600 Churches, monasteries, schools destroyed forever…
All are un-replaceable …We lost Clever Brains and creative, artful hands…
My poetry book available in Komitas Museum and Zangak book shop in Yerevan.
“BRING OUT our Genocided Skulls & Artful Hands”
Sylva Portoian, MD
Jesus said, “my kingdom is not of this world” . Your words bring shame to the 1.5 million CHRISTIAN ARMENIANS who could have easily changed their names and saved themselves. They watched their daughters raped, never gave in, – they marched to their deaths knowing Jesus’ words and now share in that Glory! What wisdom they had, they gave up the temporal for imperishable, the finite for eternity– and they left us that example.
So… read the Gospels. Idols created with human hands, whether stone or wood – can never fill the void in the human soul the way the Holy Spirit, in perfect love and union with the Father and the Son can.
Also the article missed out on the Urartu Armenian time period of 1100 -550 BC where the Armenians had pagan gods such as Haldi and his consort Erebuni, Theshibas, and Shivini. gods of the sun and weather .. these are all hunger and thirst for the True God.
Take some time and read the Gospels. You will come to the same conclusion and experience the internal love these Armenians have from their God over 2000 years
I very much agree with you, sylva jan.
While joining others in thanking you for this article, can we agree to at least try to preserve our Mother Tongue? I am sick and tired of constant distortions. It is Mesrob Mashtots (has always been) – not Mashdots. You have probably guessed that I am from Hayastan; therfore, as all Hayastantsi Armenians, I studied (at all levels, from kindergarten to the university) all the subjects in Armenian: from math and sciences to li0terature, history, geography, etc. What sense does it make to open and support Armenian schools in churches throughout the world, and then keep distorting our language? How difficult is it to understand that the correct spelling is Ter Hayr, not Der Hayr? From the Armenian word “Ter” = master, the Lord.I suggest that the distinguished author does some research to find out how and when did the Diaspora start replacing “t with “d”? HOW and WHEN? As to WHY they did that – in my mind, the answer is clear: migrating fleeing their war-stricken countries, abandoning their homes, trying to escape from Ottoman Empire, ets) and having to adapt to the new, FOREIGN culture in the countries they settled – our grandparents and great-granparents lost the purity of the original Armenian language – which was, , PRESERRVEDin Hayastan. We did not have to go to varzharans, special schools, etc. in Lebanon or Syria, Jordan or Iran – – WE LIVED IN OUR OWN CONTRY, ARMENIA, AND THUS – PRESERVED OUR CULTURE. THINK ABOUT IT!
What a futile comment regarding different spelling in eastern or Western Armenian. Could we just focus on the positive and appreciate the time our author has put into giving us details of our rich Armenian History. Whether Armenians in Armenia or in the diaspora we should be thankful that we still have a country and a nation and a rich culture.
You’re an idiot there’s different dialects and words are spoken and written completely differently.
And Western is the older dialect so if something has changed it’s the Eastern dialect.
How is it that Armenians from all over the world that fled from Turkey and spoke Western Armenian all speak virtually the same dialect, ask yourself that.
Your comments are vastly flawed and based on nationalistic fervor. Actually different forms of Armenians have existed throughout history due to political and social reasons. Despite Armenia being ONE country today, in the past this was not the case and sometimes rivaling Armenian dynasties/royals would go to war with each other. Clearly there has been a disunion since the beginning and what brought Armenians together was the horrible genocide of the 1900s. I am sure Ms. Hayastansi University would understand that at a academic and linguistic level Armenian is classified into two main branches (Western Armenian and Eastern Armenian).
Hate to break it to you Karen, but you guys are not pure. You speak more Russian than you do Armenian in Hayastan.
I agree with you. But I should add “hayi haya” wherever we are. Our hearts beat simultaneously, don’t you think?
Western Armenian spelling, that’s all.
You may have spent your life in Armenia, but you speak a minor illiterate dialect. Proper pronunciation of Der Hair is with a hard D as in dog. Was it the communists that changed the pronunciation so we could not understand each other, or was it a dialectic anomaly specific to the mountain dialect that Armenia employs. I don’t know, but I just don’t bother to read Eastern Armenian literature. Jus too painful. The Barskahays speak your dialect but employs our orthography. That should tell you something.
fascinating
While the article is informative, some of the statements are questionable, to say the least. For example, tracing Sassna Tsrer to pagan times or finding pre-christian features in Geghard’s architecture. Also, the Armenian alphabet has 38 letters, not 39, and Mesrob Mashdots was a Vartabed not a Patriarch.
Correction: Inadvertently the title of “Patriarch” was used instead of Archimandrite when mentioning Mesrop Mashdots in the article.
Knarik O. Meneshian
we love our identity- history speaks and we know-God bless
Thank you for your extraordinarily thorough article. I have visited both Garni and Geghard, where i was struck by the white fabric ties on trees in a grove beside it. Never had seen that before, but in a later trip to Japan, saw the same custom being followed near Shinto shrines. I was also struck by the small stream that flows inside the main part of the Geghard complex. Flowing water and sacred sites is prevalent in many European churches which were built over pagan places of worship, i.e. Chartres.
Thank you, dear Mrs. Meneshian, for this extremely interesting and very useful information. We have to keep in mind that our cultural and spiritual heritage has much deeper roots that should be cherished and scientifically explored. We need to reconstruct all these pre-Christian traditions and rites and let everybody know their actual meanings and roles they played in the everyday life of our ancestors. Looking forward very much to reading more about this subject in the near future.
Since when have we had 39 leter in our alphabet?
It’s 38.
Since three letters were included later to our alphabet, though one, the “yev,” is not really a letter but sometimes included, that is the only reason for the number of letters in this piece.
Well done, Knarik, thank you.
Ms. Knarik Meneshian – thank you for this well written and insightful article. Can you share any sources that may be helpful for further research? (In English if possible, but Armenian is fine too). Thank you kindly, Obed
very interesting article. (if i understood this correctly) before armenians became zoroastrians they had their own (native/specificly armenian) gods and goddesses- my question is : are there any myths stories and practises that are known regarding those from the time armenians solely worshipped them?
it also just seams odd to me that whenever someone talks about armenias pre-christian “native” faith they actually mean the gods and goddessed that where heavely influenced by zoroastrianism therefore another religion that is not native-armenian, you’d think if someone was talking about a native faith, they would mean the pre-zoroastrians.
Good words Good thoughts Good deeds was the first message of Zarathustra which were the pillars of the faith and adopted by the following religions. Fire is a symbol of light and was realised and understood then and today. Wars yes religious wars have been going on since Zoroastrian faith was replaced and is the world any better. How many million people have been massacred. How dare you call Zoroastrianism pagan.
Well, why did you replace it?
There were Armenian Zoroastrians living in Marsovan/Merifon up until they were all killed in the Genocide , they had there own graveyard .
I actually read the article in it’s entirety, it was very informative. What caught my interest and pushed me to finish the article was the ancient religion and the goddess of motherhood, wisdom and family protection Nane. That seems to have a connection to the term Nanny! My daughter who is now a mechanical engineer was the number one Nanny in this country and probably the world Chelsea Rachel Nisenbaum she lives in Austin, Texas. It now seems to me that my daughter’s fate is connected with Armenian culture.
Has nothing to do with that.
Do you know what the circular foundation was to the right side of the temple?
I live in Dallas.
Dear Mrs. Meneshian,
Thank you for your interesting article! I definitely enjoyed learning about pre-Christian Armenian culture and history for many reasons. Older terms like “pagan” may sound too loaded, and dialects may be different, – that is understandable. However, the terms or dialects do not matter, as long as we are human, we are united, strong, and capable of defending the remaining Armenia and its culture from evil, true evil, that is trying to choke Armenia and Artsakh to death.
Therefore, keep writing, Knarik jan.
Fascinating to read about the history of Armenia, but I wish hidtorians would cease using the word “pagan” to describe sny religion that is not Christian. Each of those older religions had a name and a complex culture. They should be respected.
WOW! This is why the Armenian people will never go forward. Listen to yourselves!! Worried about the letter “t” or “d” the number “38” or “39”. Who cares. This woman took time to post some information and instead of being thankful and grateful you are all arguing about stupid things. I’m right no I’m right! I’m hnchak or tashnak. Why don’t we all come together and make our country a stronger nation but we can’t because we are so divided by our own ways of thinking of who is right. This is why we are losing our country bit by bit. SO SAD!
Hopefully one day we will open our eyes and see what is more important and I hope I will not be too late. Thank you for the info it was nice to read.
I agree completely.
United we’re strong, divided we’re easy targets! Unity works!!
Powerful, and well stated throughout. This 1st generation genocide survivor says thank you.
Thank you for a fantastic article. We’re ancient people’s and our heritage actually goes many thousands of years earlier than previously known. The Aramaic language was from our ancient people as well as artifacts that predate Egypt. The old testament took much from the Zoroastrianism faith, the Jews took the Star we used as well. We predate so much. Even in more modern history, Leonardo da Vinci’s mother was Armenian and he painted Armenian words with mirrors in his paintings. He traveled to Armenia to bring soil back. Probably near the coastal mountains near Musa Ler. My family is from there, Bitias. It’s part of our very ancient lands predating Judaism etc. To date, nobody really helps us. The globe is outraged and funds Ukraine and Israel (netanyahu a world criminal in bed with erdogan, Trump-kuschners, the Saudi’s and Putin) Netanyahu who helped destroy our people and steal our ancient lands on behalf of Turkey and Azerbaijan while Trump did nothing and Ivanka and Jared who regularly did ‘business’in Azerbaijan (money laundering?) and netanyahu whose most likely planned and behind the recent bloody attacks in Palestine and Israel. Him and the Saudi’s we give arms and billions to, but innocent Armenians….. zero outrage or coverage.
We need to organize, protest and make more noise globally!
Dear Readers,
In English, I always spell Armenian words the way I pronounce them, and therefore use English letters that sound closest to the Armenian I learned from my father, who was from Syunik, Armenia.
Dear author. Let me comment on the names of Armenian gods. Ar-Ara-Aramazd is the god-creator, father of all the gods. His wife is mother-goddess Anahit. Their children are Vahagn – god oof fire and war, conqueror of dragons, Astghik – goddess of love, Mihr – sun-god, Vanatur and Kaghand – come on New year, Tir – god of ancient wisdom, esoterism, chronicler of ARA, as well as dreams interpreter, takes souls to another world.
My grandfather’s dad was a sheepherder in Armenia. Grandpa helped his dad herd the sheep on what he described as beautiful hills. Then the genocide began, and his family gathered all the money they accumulated, to buy passage for grandpa and his cousin Uncle Nick to America. They felt the two young men would have the best chance of being successful in this new country. Grandpa left behind his parents and sisters, and never heard from them again. They were killing all the Christians, and it was hard for him to even talk about his family. Grandpa was tall over 6′, lean, with black hair and a darker complexion. He was so handsome, and in his old age his hair was white as snow. He married my grandma, Polish 4’11”. They had 5 children, 3 that took after him in appearance, and 2 after grandma fair skinned light eyes and blond. When I was about 3 he would lift me up onto his shoulders, and take me for walks around the block. I loved him dearly He worked as a lumberjack in the Adirondacks, standing on logs and rolling them down the river to a truck. Then his back started hurting, so he got a job for the railroad walking the tracks, carrying a lantern and signaling the trains. i still have his passpord and would never be able to pronounce his name. It’s locked up in a safe, but his last mane was something like Akimoff (not sure of the spelling).